McCombs May Get More Running-Game Help Against Michigan

STORRS — UConn sophomore Max DeLorenzo, No. 2 running back on the depth chart, touched the ball for the first time in Game 2 against Maryland.

The 6-foot, 207-pounder from Berlin had just three carries.

The Huskies' No. 3 running back, senior Martin Hyppolite (6-0, 217), got his first carry against the Terps, too — and it netted a yard.

Junior Lyle McCombs (5-8, 175) was the nation's 29th leading rusher with 1,151 yards two years ago. Last year he rushed for only 860 on just 22 fewer carries (243). This season has started no better, arguably worse, for McCombs. He has rushed for 129 yards and a touchdown on 36 carries.

McCombs must run well and will need some help when No. 15 Michigan (3-0) faces UConn (0-2) at Rentschler Field Saturday at 8 p.m.

Yes, the offensive line has issues with maintaining blocks, as do the receivers. But the backs need to be better and, admittedly, first-year coach Kermit Buggs needs to trust backs other than McCombs, the workhorse.

The Huskies' rushing offense is ranked 122nd (57.5 yards a game), next to last among FBS schools. That's embarrassing when you consider how highly the Huskies have ranked in the recent past.

In fairness, outside of Terry Caulley (5-7, 185), the Huskies' most successful runners, Jordan Todman, Donald Brown and Andre Dixon, were all bigger backs than McCombs.

"It definitely has some bearing on it," Buggs said of McCombs' size. "He's a quicker back that needs more space, not going to be able to run through as many tackles. But we're trying to work on that, working on keeping his pad level down and working on his strength."

It wasn't long ago that it was the UConn passing game that drew nationally low rankings.

At 277.5 yards an outing, it's ranked 37th this season.

Coach Paul Pasqualoni repeated Tuesday that the Huskies need only break a couple of long runs a game for the entire offense to open up. But right now, he said, defenses don't fear the Huskies' running game so they're not backing off and won't until it becomes scarier.

"We've got to make sure we press the holes," Buggs said. "We missed a couple [against Maryland] and then we've got to finish our runs. We're letting one guy stop us; we're not breaking any tackles. Those are the things I keep harping on daily. We've got to be a little bit more powerful. We have to make some holes when there aren't holes and we've got to get me 4 [yards]. Every time we touch the ball our goal is to get 4 yards."

The Huskies are averaging 1.8 yards a rush.

DeLorenzo and Hyppolite are bigger backs who might be able to break for big runs.

Of DeLorenzo's three carries against Maryland, the first, with UConn in the red zone, gained 1 yard. The second, a draw, was snuffed out by a weak-side blitz and his third gained 7 yards.

"Personally, I've got to have a little more confidence to use [DeLorenzo and Hyppolite]," Buggs said. "Lyle has been the guy but I'm trying to slowly get those guys in ... and Martin is a bigger back who may be able to run through some tackles so I have to have more confidence in myself to get those guys in the game more."

DeLorenzo said the run has become a focal point since the Maryland loss.

"It's been frustrating but there are many factors that go into it," DeLorenzo said. "It's not just our backs. It's not just our line. It's everybody. We have to commit to it. The line has to finish blocks, Lyle, me, Martin, we have to make the right cut, not let one person just tackle us for a 1- or 2-yard gain; make them miss and get tackled 3 yards later."